What you need to know about the Affordable Care Act and how it affects Californians

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New data on health care premium costs released by the Department of Health and Human Services Wednesday has been analyzed and scrutinized by experts across the nation. The data shows that Americans will pay an average of $328 a month for a middle tier health plan, while other anlysis shows that health costs may go up for younger Americans under the Affordable Care Act.

New data on health care premium costs released by the Department of Health and Human Services Wednesday has been analyzed and scrutinized by experts across the nation. The data shows that Americans will pay an average of $328 a month for a middle tier health plan, while other analysis shows that health costs may go up for younger Americans under the Affordable Care Act.

Recent data shows that Americans will pay an average monthly premium of $328 for mid-tier or "silver plan" health insurance. The online exchanges under the Affordable Care Act open next week on Oct. 1.

Most Americans will qualify for government subsidies to lower that price.

The figure is the broadest national estimate for the cost of coverage based on data for approved insurance plans in 48 states.

The Obama administration estimates and is counting on 7 million Americans to sign up for health insurance through the new exchanges – including 2.7 million younger and healthier consumers needed to offset the costs of sicklier customers.

Insurance rates were significantly higher in states with fewer insurance companies offering plans under the ACA. Prices will vary across the nation.

Based on a Manhattan Institute analysis of data released by the Department of Health and Human Services, insurance rates for younger men will increase by an average of 97 to 99 percent, while they will increase by an average of 55 to 62 percent for younger women.

Worst of all states, North Carolina will see individual market rates triple for women and quadruple for men.